Concerns Raised About Brian Coberger at WSU
A professor at Washington State University expressed serious concerns regarding Brian Coberger potentially becoming a teacher, suggesting he might pose a threat to future students.
In 2022, this professor shared his worries with colleagues after complaints started emerging from graduating students, who labeled Kohberger as sexist and creepy. According to a police report, one female professor remarked, “He’s smart enough that they’ll probably give him a PhD in four years.”
She cautioned, “Mark my words, I work with predators. If we give him a PhD, it aligns with the troubling reputation we’ve heard about him as a professor.”
The warnings were detailed in a trove of investigation files released by Idaho Police last week. Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of four Idaho students in November 2022.
Another faculty member urged colleagues to withdraw funding for Coberger, citing concerns about female students feeling uncomfortable in the criminal justice program. She recalled overhearing a female student saying, “I really need to get out of here.”
Further, she reported a specific incident where she believed Kohberger was stalking, mentioning a break-in at a female student’s apartment.
In the months preceding the murders, fellow students and faculty had lodged numerous complaints about Coberger’s conduct. These reports indicated troubling behaviors that raised alarms among those around him.
One PhD student noted how Kohberger seemed to revel in conflicts and discussions around his field of study, particularly on sexual offenses. There was speculation amongst some in the department that he could potentially become a rapist or might fit the profile of an “incel.”
Following the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, police documented that Coberger remarked that the criminal was “pretty good.” He also suggested that the nature of the murder could have been similar to those previously discussed.
An instructor who had interactions with Coberger reported receiving multiple complaints from students as early as August 2022, particularly focusing on his behavior with fellow graduate students.
The disciplinary discussions highlighted the need for scrutiny over his interactions, both in the classroom and outside of it, with various faculty members chiming in.
In light of the complaints, the university initiated mandatory training sessions aimed at behavioral expectations for all graduate students.
Interestingly, students and faculty who spoke to police following the Idaho murders didn’t suspect Coberger’s involvement. Nonetheless, one student noted a change in his demeanor and pointed out he had stopped bringing his phone to class, which seemed unusual.
Additionally, it struck several classmates as odd that Coberger had never engaged in conversations about the killings in Idaho.
